禁锢 in 30 Sekunden
- 禁锢 (jìngù) is a high-level verb meaning to confine or imprison, emphasizing a strong, often inescapable lack of freedom or movement.
- It is frequently used metaphorically to describe the restriction of thoughts, creativity, or social progress by traditional or oppressive forces.
- The word carries a formal and serious tone, making it suitable for literature, academic writing, and discussions of social or political issues.
- Commonly paired with '思想' (thought), '灵魂' (soul), and '创造力' (creativity), it often appears in passive constructions using the particle '被'.
The Chinese word 禁锢 (jìngù) is a profound and heavy verb that translates most directly to 'confine,' 'imprison,' or 'shackle.' However, its usage in modern Chinese extends far beyond the literal bars of a prison cell. To understand this word, one must look at its two constituent characters. The first character, 禁 (jìn), means to prohibit, forbid, or restrict. The second character, 锢 (gù), is more specialized, originally referring to the act of stopping up a leak or welding metal, but historically it became associated with the 'Prohibition of Partisans' in the Han Dynasty, where officials were barred from holding office and restricted in their movements. Together, they create a sense of being locked away or held in a state where movement and development are impossible. In contemporary language, while it can describe physical imprisonment, it is most frequently encountered in intellectual, emotional, and social contexts. When a person's thoughts are '禁锢,' they are unable to think outside of a rigid, traditional framework. When a society is '禁锢,' it is stagnant and resistant to change. It is a word that carries a weight of tragedy and frustration, often used when discussing the struggle for freedom or the breaking of old, oppressive habits.
- Literal Confinement
- This refers to the physical act of locking someone or something in a restricted space, such as a jail or a small room, where they cannot escape.
- Mental and Intellectual Restriction
- This is the most common figurative use, describing how old ideas, dogmas, or fears prevent a person from thinking creatively or accepting new perspectives.
- Social and Cultural Stagnation
- It describes a state where a community or nation is held back by outdated laws, customs, or political structures that prevent progress.
封建思想禁锢了人们的创造力。(Feudal thinking confined people's creativity.)
他感到自己的灵魂被肉体所禁锢。(He felt his soul was imprisoned by his physical body.)
这些陈旧的规章制度禁锢了企业的发展。(These outdated regulations restricted the development of the enterprise.)
长期的贫困禁锢了他们的视野。(Long-term poverty confined their horizons.)
不要让过去的失败禁锢你的未来。(Do not let past failures imprison your future.)
When using this word, consider the intensity of the situation. You would not use '禁锢' for a temporary delay or a minor rule. You use it for things that feel inescapable and defining. It is a favorite word of philosophers, historians, and novelists who want to highlight the suffocating nature of certain environments or mental states. For instance, a writer might describe a woman in a traditional society as being '禁锢在家庭的琐事中' (confined within the trivialities of domestic life), suggesting that her potential is being completely suppressed by her circumstances.
The grammar of 禁锢 (jìngù) is relatively straightforward as a transitive verb, but it often appears in specific structural patterns that enhance its expressive power. The most common structure is 'A 禁锢了 B,' where A is the restrictive force (like an idea, a system, or a physical space) and B is the person or thing being restricted. Because the word carries such a strong sense of external force acting upon a subject, it is also frequently used in the passive voice with '被' (bèi), as in 'B 被 A 禁锢了.' This emphasizes the helplessness of the subject. Another common pattern is '禁锢在...之中' (confined within...), which provides a vivid image of being trapped inside a metaphorical or literal container.
- Active Voice Construction
- Subject (Restrictive Force) + 禁锢 + Object (The Confined). Example: 传统的观念禁锢了他的思想。(Traditional concepts confined his thoughts.)
- Passive Voice Construction
- Subject (The Confined) + 被 + (Restrictive Force) + 禁锢. Example: 他被禁锢在一座荒岛上。(He was confined on a deserted island.)
- Locative Construction
- 禁锢 + 在 + Location/Situation + 之中. This adds a sense of depth and being surrounded by the restriction.
我们必须打破禁锢，追求自由。(We must break the confinement and pursue freedom.)
这种恐惧感深深地禁锢了他的行动。(This sense of fear deeply restricted his actions.)
不要让世俗的眼光禁锢你的灵魂。(Do not let the secular gaze imprison your soul.)
Furthermore, '禁锢' can function as a noun in certain contexts, representing the state of being confined or the restrictions themselves. For example, '思想的禁锢' (the confinement of thought). In this noun form, it is often paired with verbs like '打破' (dǎpò - break), '冲破' (chōngpò - burst through), or '摆脱' (bǎituō - cast off). These combinations are very common in political and motivational speeches. The word implies a barrier that is not easily removed; it requires significant effort or even a revolution of the mind to overcome. When you use '禁锢,' you are signaling to your audience that the situation is serious and the obstacles are formidable. It is not just about a minor difficulty; it is about a systemic or deep-seated limitation that prevents the true nature of a person or society from flourishing.
In everyday casual conversation, 禁锢 (jìngù) is relatively rare. You wouldn't typically use it to describe being stuck in traffic or having a busy schedule. Instead, you will encounter it in more formal, intellectual, or dramatic settings. It is a staple of news reports concerning human rights, legal cases involving illegal detention, and political commentary regarding censorship or ideological control. If you watch Chinese documentaries about history or social changes, you will frequently hear narrators use '禁锢' to describe the restrictive atmosphere of past eras, such as the period before the 'Reform and Opening-up' when social and economic life was tightly controlled.
- News and Media
- Often used in reports about people being held against their will or discussions on the 'confinement of ideas' in certain regions.
- Literature and Poetry
- Authors use it to create a sense of existential dread or to describe a character's internal struggle against societal expectations.
- Academic and Philosophical Lectures
- Professors use it when discussing the history of thought, particularly how certain paradigms can 'imprison' the human mind for centuries.
那个时代的女性大多被禁锢在深闺之中。(Women of that era were mostly confined to the inner chambers.)
科学发现打破了长期以来对真理的禁锢。(Scientific discoveries broke the long-standing confinement of truth.)
You might also hear it in the context of psychology and self-help. A therapist might talk about '自我禁锢' (self-confinement), referring to how an individual's own limiting beliefs or past traumas prevent them from living a full life. In this sense, '禁锢' is used to evoke a powerful emotional response, highlighting that the person is their own jailer. Movies and TV dramas, especially those set in historical periods or dystopian futures, use this word to emphasize the lack of freedom. For instance, a character might scream, '我不想再被这种生活禁锢了!' (I don't want to be imprisoned by this kind of life anymore!), which sounds much more dramatic and desperate than using a simpler word like '限制' (restrict).
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 禁锢 (jìngù) for minor or temporary restrictions. Because it translates to 'restrict' or 'confine,' students often try to use it in situations where '限制' (xiànzhì) or '约束' (yuēshù) would be much more appropriate. For example, saying '我的妈妈禁锢我玩游戏' (My mom confined me from playing games) sounds extremely strange and overly dramatic in Chinese. It would imply that your mother has literally locked you in a dungeon to prevent you from playing. Instead, you should use '限制' for rules and limitations. '禁锢' is reserved for heavy, systemic, or existential confinement.
- Confusing with '限制' (xiànzhì)
- '限制' is neutral and can be used for time, speed, or rules. '禁锢' is highly emotional and intense, usually involving a complete loss of freedom.
- Confusing with '束缚' (shùfù)
- '束缚' means to bind or tie up. While similar to '禁锢,' '束缚' often refers to being tied by obligations or responsibilities, whereas '禁锢' suggests being enclosed in a space or a rigid structure.
- Incorrect Passive Usage
- Sometimes learners forget to use the '被' (bèi) particle when the subject is the one being confined, leading to sentences that sound like the person is doing the confining themselves.
错误: 这条规则禁锢了我的时间。(Wrong: This rule confined my time.)
正确: 这条规则限制了我的自由。(Correct: This rule restricted my freedom.)
Another mistake is overusing it in spoken language. As a highly literary word, using '禁锢' in a casual chat about your weekend plans will make you sound like you are reciting a tragic poem. It's important to match the register of the word to the context. If you are talking about a serious social issue or a deep personal struggle, '禁锢' is perfect. If you are talking about everyday inconveniences, stick to simpler verbs. Finally, be careful with the object of the verb. '禁锢' usually takes abstract nouns like '思想' (thought), '灵魂' (soul), '创造力' (creativity), or '身体' (body) as its object. Using it with concrete, mundane objects like '手机' (cell phone) or '钱包' (wallet) is usually incorrect unless you are being highly metaphorical.
Because Chinese is a language rich in synonyms, understanding the subtle differences between 禁锢 (jìngù) and its near-synonyms is crucial for reaching an advanced level. The most common alternatives are 限制 (xiànzhì), 束缚 (shùfù), 监禁 (jiānjìn), and 封闭 (fēngbì). Each of these carries a slightly different nuance and is used in different contexts. '限制' is the most general and neutral word for 'limit.' '束缚' implies being tied down by something, like ropes or duties. '监禁' is specifically for legal imprisonment in a jail. '封闭' means to seal off or close something, like a border or a room.
- 禁锢 vs. 限制 (xiànzhì)
- '限制' is often used for quantitative limits (like a speed limit) or specific rules. '禁锢' is much more absolute and qualitative, implying a total lack of freedom.
- 禁锢 vs. 束缚 (shùfù)
- '束缚' suggests being 'tied up,' often by relationships, traditions, or responsibilities. '禁锢' suggests being 'locked in,' like in a cage or a room. '束缚' can be internal, while '禁锢' often feels like an external structure holding you in.
- 禁锢 vs. 监禁 (jiānjìn)
- '监禁' is a legal and technical term for being put in prison. '禁锢' is more literary and can be used for both physical and metaphorical confinement (like the confinement of the mind).
- 禁锢 vs. 封闭 (fēngbì)
- '封闭' means to close off something so nothing gets in or out. While '禁锢' focuses on the person inside being unable to leave, '封闭' focuses on the space itself being sealed.
他被监禁了十年。(He was imprisoned for ten years - Legal context.)
他的思想被陈规陋习所束缚。(His thoughts were bound by outdated customs - Tied down context.)
When choosing between these words, ask yourself: Is the person physically in a cell? (Use 监禁). Is the person tied down by obligations? (Use 束缚). Is the person's mind completely trapped in an old way of thinking? (Use 禁锢). Is there just a rule limiting their options? (Use 限制). By selecting the most precise word, you demonstrate a deep understanding of Chinese nuances. For example, in a political essay, using '禁锢' to describe the suppression of free speech is much more powerful than using '限制,' as it implies that the speech is not just limited, but completely locked away and silenced.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The '锢' in '禁锢' is the same character used in '凝固' (nínɡù), which means to solidify or freeze. This gives you a hint that '禁锢' is about making someone or something 'stuck' or 'solidified' in a place or state.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 'jìn' in the third tone (jǐn), which would mean 'tight' or 'near'.
- Pronouncing 'ɡù' in the first tone (ɡū), which could lead to confusion with other characters like '孤' (lonely).
- Failing to make the tones sharp enough, making it sound like a neutral question.
- Confusing the initial 'j' in 'jìn' with a 'zh' sound.
- Confusing the 'u' in 'ɡù' with a 'ü' sound.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
The characters are somewhat complex, and the word is found in formal texts.
Writing '锢' correctly requires practice with the '钅' and '固' components.
The tones are straightforward, but the register must be managed carefully.
Easily recognized in formal audio but rare in everyday speech.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
The passive particle '被' (bèi)
他被禁锢在屋子里。
The causative verb '让' (ràng)
不要让传统禁锢你的脚步。
Resultative complements (e.g., '住')
他被禁锢住了。
Prepositional phrases with '在...之中'
禁锢在贫穷之中。
Verb-Object compounds used as nouns
这种禁锢是不人道的。
Beispiele nach Niveau
他不可以在外面，他被禁锢了。
He cannot be outside; he is confined.
Uses the passive '被' to show he is restricted.
这个小鸟被禁锢在笼子里。
This little bird is confined in a cage.
Literal use for physical confinement.
不要禁锢我的自由。
Do not confine my freedom.
A simple imperative sentence.
他被禁锢在房间里。
He is confined in the room.
Basic 'Subject + 被 + 禁锢' structure.
禁锢是不好的。
Confinement is bad.
Using the verb as a noun-subject.
我们要打破禁锢。
We must break the confinement.
Common verb-object pairing: 打破 + 禁锢.
他感到被禁锢了。
He feels confined.
Expressing a feeling of restriction.
禁锢意味着没有自由。
Confinement means no freedom.
Defining the concept simply.
旧的规则禁锢了我们的生活。
Old rules confined our lives.
Active voice with an abstract subject.
他不想被禁锢在办公室里。
He doesn't want to be confined in the office.
Negative desire + passive construction.
那种思想禁锢了很多人。
That kind of thinking confined many people.
Using '思想' (thought) as the restrictive force.
这些书可以打破思想的禁锢。
These books can break the confinement of thought.
Using a possessive '的' to link thoughts and confinement.
他被禁锢在那个小镇很多年。
He was confined in that small town for many years.
Adding a time duration after the verb.
不要让贫穷禁锢你的梦想。
Don't let poverty confine your dreams.
Using '让' (let/allow) in a causative structure.
他被禁锢在自己的世界里。
He was confined in his own world.
Metaphorical use for social isolation.
法律禁锢了他的行动。
The law confined his actions.
Formal subject '法律' (law).
这些传统观念禁锢了女性的发展。
These traditional concepts confined the development of women.
Discussing social issues with more complex objects.
他感到自己被禁锢在一种无聊的生活中。
He felt himself confined in a boring life.
Reflexive feeling of metaphorical confinement.
我们要冲破禁锢，寻找真相。
We must burst through the confinement and seek the truth.
Using '冲破' (burst through) for a stronger action.
长期的恐惧禁锢了他的创造力。
Long-term fear confined his creativity.
Abstract psychological restriction.
这种体制禁锢了人才的发挥。
This system confined the performance of talents.
Discussing organizational or systemic issues.
被禁锢的灵魂渴望自由。
The confined soul longs for freedom.
Using '被禁锢的' as an adjective phrase.
他被禁锢在过去的痛苦中。
He was confined in the pain of the past.
Confinement in a mental/temporal state.
这种药水禁锢了他的魔力。
This potion confined his magic power.
Fantasy context for the word.
封建礼教禁锢了中国人民的思想长达数千年。
Feudal ethics confined the thoughts of the Chinese people for thousands of years.
Historical analysis using formal vocabulary.
他试图摆脱这种禁锢他已久的家庭环境。
He tried to escape this family environment that had confined him for a long time.
Using '已久' (for a long time) and '摆脱' (escape).
科学研究不应该受到任何形式的思想禁锢。
Scientific research should not be subject to any form of ideological confinement.
Formal statement about academic freedom.
这部电影表现了人性如何被社会禁锢。
This movie shows how human nature is confined by society.
Critiquing art and themes.
他的一生都被禁锢在权力的斗争中。
His whole life was confined in the struggle for power.
Metaphorical use for life-long situations.
这种落后的生产方式禁锢了农村的经济。
This backward production method confined the rural economy.
Economic and developmental context.
我们不能禁锢在自己的小圈子里。
We cannot be confined in our own small circles.
Metaphor for social bubbles or echo chambers.
他的诗歌是对那种禁锢时代的无声反抗。
His poetry is a silent rebellion against that era of confinement.
Literary criticism and historical context.
唯美主义者认为，艺术不应被道德观念所禁锢。
Aesthetes believe that art should not be confined by moral concepts.
Discussing philosophical and aesthetic theories.
在那个黑暗的年代，无数正直的学者被禁锢在牢狱之中。
In those dark years, countless upright scholars were confined in prisons.
Evocative, descriptive language for historical tragedy.
这种语言的局限性禁锢了我们对宇宙的理解。
The limitations of this language confined our understanding of the universe.
Advanced epistemological discussion.
打破精神禁锢是实现社会变革的前提条件。
Breaking spiritual confinement is a prerequisite for achieving social change.
Using '前提条件' (prerequisite) in a formal argument.
他感到自己的才华被这个狭隘的时代所禁锢。
He felt his talent was confined by this narrow-minded era.
Refined expression of personal and social conflict.
法律的禁锢有时是为了保护社会秩序，但有时也会阻碍正义。
The confinement of law is sometimes for protecting social order, but sometimes it hinders justice.
Complex sentence structure with a contrastive '但' (but).
这种文化范式禁锢了人们对真理的进一步探索。
This cultural paradigm confined people's further exploration of truth.
Using academic terms like '范式' (paradigm).
他那被禁锢已久的灵魂终于在那一刻得到了释放。
His long-confined soul was finally released at that moment.
High literary style with '终于' (finally) and '释放' (release).
这种意识形态的禁锢导致了整个民族创造力的枯竭。
This ideological confinement led to the exhaustion of the entire nation's creativity.
Sophisticated analysis of national-scale phenomena.
庄子认为，肉体是灵魂的禁锢，唯有超脱方能获得大自由。
Zhuangzi believed that the physical body is the confinement of the soul, and only through transcendence can one achieve great freedom.
Discussing classical Chinese philosophy (Daoism).
制度性的禁锢往往比物理性的枷锁更加难以被打破。
Institutional confinement is often more difficult to break than physical shackles.
Comparative analysis of abstract and concrete concepts.
他深刻地揭示了现代文明如何反过来禁锢了人类的天性。
He profoundly revealed how modern civilization, in turn, confined human nature.
Using '反过来' (in turn) to show irony or reversal.
在学术研究中，我们必须警惕被现有的理论框架所禁锢。
In academic research, we must be wary of being confined by existing theoretical frameworks.
Using '警惕' (be wary of) in a formal academic warning.
那种深植于血液中的传统观念，依然禁锢着他的每一个决策。
Those traditional concepts deeply rooted in his blood still confine his every decision.
Highly metaphorical and evocative literary language.
这种对权力的病态追求，最终将他禁锢在无尽的孤独之中。
This pathological pursuit of power eventually confined him in endless loneliness.
Analyzing character and psychological consequences.
打破这种历史的禁锢，需要几代人的共同努力和智慧。
Breaking this historical confinement requires the collective effort and wisdom of several generations.
Discussing long-term social and historical change.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— The state where one's mind is locked in old ways of thinking. It describes a lack of intellectual flexibility.
思想禁锢是社会进步的巨大障碍。
— To break free from a restrictive state or system. It implies a courageous act of liberation.
改革开放打破了长期以来的体制禁锢。
— A poetic way to describe a person who feels emotionally or spiritually trapped. It is common in literature.
他在寻找一种方式来拯救自己被禁锢的灵魂。
— The pain or suffering caused by being confined. It highlights the emotional toll of restriction.
他深深体会到了这种思想禁锢之苦。
— To rid oneself of restrictions. It suggests a process of moving toward freedom.
人类一直在努力摆脱自然的禁锢。
— To burst through a barrier or confinement with force. It is more intense than '打破'.
真理终将冲破谬误的禁锢。
— Literally or metaphorically confined in a cage. It creates a vivid visual image of entrapment.
他的才华被禁锢在贫穷的牢笼中。
— Self-confinement; restricting oneself through fear or limiting beliefs. It is a psychological term.
不要进行自我禁锢，要勇敢去尝试。
— Spiritual or mental confinement. It refers to a lack of psychological freedom.
这种文化氛围造成了一种严重的精神禁锢。
— Cannot be confined; used to describe a force or spirit that is too strong to be held back.
高墙禁锢不住向往自由的心。
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Learners often use '禁锢' for simple rules. '限制' is for limits (like speed), while '禁锢' is for prison-like confinement.
Both mean restriction, but '束缚' is like being tied with rope (obligations), whereas '禁锢' is like being locked in a room (systems/structures).
Learners use '禁锢' for jail, but '监禁' is the correct legal term. '禁锢' is more for the 'feeling' or the 'act' of being trapped.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— A historical idiom referring to the purges of 'partisans' during the Han Dynasty. It represents severe political suppression.
东汉末年的党锢之祸对士大夫阶层打击沉重。
Historical/Academic— To confine the physical body. It is often contrasted with the freedom of the mind in philosophical texts.
你可以禁锢我的形体，但不能禁锢我的思想。
Philosophical— While technically a phrase, it is used so frequently it functions like an idiom for intellectual liberation.
只有打破思想禁锢，才能实现真正的创新。
Formal— Though not containing the word '禁锢', it describes the appearance of a confined person with unkempt hair and a dirty face.
他在狱中多年，早已囚首垢面。
Literary— To draw a circle on the ground as a prison. It means to restrict oneself or others within a narrow limit.
我们不能画地为牢，限制了自己的发展。
Literary/Idiomatic— To close the borders and lock the country. It refers to a policy of isolationism that 'confines' a nation.
闭关锁国政策曾让国家陷入长期的停滞。
Historical/Political— To tie something up and put it on a high shelf. It means to neglect or shelf something, effectively confining it from use.
好的建议不应该被束之高阁。
Literary— To spin a cocoon and tie oneself up. It means to get caught in a web of one's own making, a form of self-confinement.
他这种做法无异于作茧自缚。
Literary— A turtle in a jar. It describes someone who is trapped and has no way of escape.
敌军已成瓮中之鳖，插翅难逃。
Literary— To stand still and seal oneself off. It refers to being stuck in old ways and refusing to make progress.
在竞争激烈的市场中，固步自封只会导致失败。
FormalLeicht verwechselbar
Both translate to 'restrict' in English.
'限制' is neutral and can be quantitative. '禁锢' is emotional and qualitative.
速度限制 (Speed limit) vs. 思想禁锢 (Ideological confinement).
Both describe a loss of freedom.
'束缚' focuses on the 'binding' force. '禁锢' focuses on the 'enclosing' force.
被家庭束缚 (Bound by family) vs. 被禁锢在深闺 (Confined in the inner chamber).
Both involve closing something off.
'封闭' is about the space. '禁锢' is about the person or thing inside.
封闭的道路 (Closed road) vs. 被禁锢的思想 (Confined thought).
Both mean to imprison.
'囚禁' is more concrete and dramatic. '禁锢' is often more abstract and systemic.
囚禁俘虏 (Imprison captives) vs. 禁锢人性 (Confine human nature).
Both involve control.
'管束' is about discipline and management. '禁锢' is about total restriction.
管束学生 (Discipline students) vs. 禁锢天才 (Confine genius).
Satzmuster
A 禁锢了 B 的 C
陈旧的观念禁锢了我们的创造力。
B 被禁锢在 A 之中
他被禁锢在无尽的痛苦之中。
打破...的禁锢
我们要打破这种体制的禁锢。
从...的禁锢中释放出来
他终于从恐惧的禁锢中释放出来。
禁锢...于...
将灵魂禁锢于狭小的躯壳内。
所谓的...无非是对...的禁锢
所谓的规章，无非是对人性的禁锢。
不要被...所禁锢
不要被过去的失败所禁锢。
禁锢不住...
任何力量也禁锢不住人民对自由的向往。
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Medium-Low (Specific to intellectual and formal contexts).
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Using '禁锢' for time or money limits.
→
使用 '限制' (xiànzhì).
'禁锢' is too heavy for mundane limits. You don't '禁锢' a budget; you '限制' it.
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Saying '我禁锢了' to mean 'I am stuck'.
→
说 '我被禁锢了' (Wǒ bèi jìngù le).
Without '被', it sounds like you are the one doing the confining, not the one being confined.
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Confusing '禁锢' with '凝固' (níngù).
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Use '凝固' for liquids becoming solid.
While they share the '锢' character, '凝固' is for ice or blood, while '禁锢' is for people or ideas.
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Using '禁锢' in a very casual, happy conversation.
→
Use '约束' or '限制' for lighter topics.
'禁锢' has a tragic or serious tone. Using it casually can sound sarcastic or weird.
-
Forgetting the 'metal' radical when writing '锢'.
→
Write it as '钅' + '固'.
The 'metal' radical is essential to the character's meaning of being 'welded' or 'locked'.
Tipps
Pair with Abstract Nouns
To sound like a native, pair '禁锢' with words like '思想' (thought), '创造力' (creativity), '灵魂' (soul), or '天性' (nature).
Use with '被'
The passive form '被...禁锢' is very common and helps emphasize the feeling of being a victim of circumstances.
Save for Formal Writing
Use this word in your HSK 6 or advanced level essays to demonstrate a sophisticated vocabulary.
Contrast with '限制'
Use '限制' for rules you follow, and '禁锢' for rules that feel like they are crushing your spirit.
The Metal Connection
Remember the 'metal' radical in '锢' to remind you of iron bars or heavy shackles.
Historical Depth
Mentioning '打破思想禁锢' in a discussion about Chinese history will show you understand deep cultural themes.
Action Verbs
Combine it with '打破' (break), '冲破' (burst), or '摆脱' (escape) to describe the process of gaining freedom.
Tone Accuracy
Make sure both syllables fall sharply. If you get the tones wrong, it might sound like 'jīnbù' (progress), which is the opposite!
Context Clues
If you hear '禁锢' in a movie, look for visual cues of cages, walls, or characters looking trapped.
Explore '桎梏'
Once you master '禁锢', look up '桎梏' (zhìgù), an even more literary word for shackles.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of '禁' as the 'No Smoking' (禁止吸烟) sign and '锢' as a 'Solid' (凝固) metal lock. When you are '禁锢', you are under a 'No' rule and locked in 'Solid' metal.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a brain inside a birdcage that is locked with a heavy iron padlock. This represents the most common modern use: '思想禁锢' (ideological confinement).
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to write a sentence using '禁锢' to describe a feeling you had when you were stuck in a situation you didn't like. Then, write another sentence about how you '打破' (broke) that '禁锢'.
Wortherkunft
The term '禁锢' originates from ancient Chinese legal and political history. The character '禁' (jìn) originally meant a stand for wine vessels, but evolved to mean 'to forbid' or 'to ban.' The character '锢' (ɡù) originally referred to sealing or welding metal to stop a leak. The combination of these two characters was famously used to describe the '党锢之祸' (Prohibition of Partisans) during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD).
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally, '禁锢' referred specifically to a legal punishment where officials were barred from holding government positions and their movements were restricted. It was a form of political exile and professional banishment.
Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)Kultureller Kontext
The word is highly charged and often used in political criticism. Use it carefully in formal diplomatic or sensitive social contexts.
English speakers might find '禁锢' similar to the word 'shackled' or 'fettered' in its literary and metaphorical power. It is more intense than 'restricted'.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Political/Social Criticism
- 打破思想禁锢
- 消除体制禁锢
- 言论禁锢
- 权力的禁锢
Literature/Poetry
- 灵魂的禁锢
- 被禁锢的青春
- 命运的禁锢
- 深沉的禁锢
Psychology/Self-Help
- 自我禁锢
- 恐惧的禁锢
- 走出禁锢
- 心理禁锢
History
- 封建礼教的禁锢
- 党锢之祸
- 时代的禁锢
- 长期的禁锢
Education
- 禁锢创造力
- 思维禁锢
- 打破陈规禁锢
- 学生被禁锢
Gesprächseinstiege
"你认为现代社会中，什么东西最容易禁锢人们的思想？"
"你曾经有过被某种环境禁锢的感觉吗？你是如何走出来的？"
"有些传统观念虽然是禁锢，但也有保护作用，你同意吗？"
"你觉得艺术应该被道德观念禁锢吗？为什么？"
"如果一个人被禁锢在过去的回忆里，你会有什么建议给他？"
Tagebuch-Impulse
描写一个你觉得正在经历‘思想禁锢’的社会现象，并讨论其后果。
写一段关于一个灵魂如何冲破肉体禁锢，获得自由的寓言故事。
反思你自己的生活，是否有哪些习惯或恐惧正在禁锢你的成长？
讨论‘打破禁锢’在科学发现中的重要性，举出一个具体的例子。
想象一个没有‘禁锢’的世界，那里的生活会是什么样子的？
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it can be used for animals to emphasize the cruelty of their confinement, like a bird in a tiny cage. However, for general farming or pets, simpler words like '关' (guān) or '养' (yǎng) are used.
Almost always. It implies a loss of natural freedom and potential. Even when used for 'protection,' it usually suggests that the protection is too heavy and suffocating.
'打破' (dǎpò) means to break, which is a standard action. '冲破' (chōngpò) means to burst through with great force and momentum, making it sound more heroic or intense.
Only if you are discussing high-level strategy or systemic problems, like 'breaking the confinement of old business models.' For daily tasks, it is too dramatic.
It has two parts: the left is the 'metal' radical (钅 - jīn), and the right is 'solid/firm' (固 - gù). This reflects its original meaning of welding metal solid.
Yes, it is extremely common in political, historical, and educational discussions to describe a lack of open-mindedness or freedom of thought.
Yes, it can mean 'confinement' as a state. For example: '他无法忍受这种禁锢' (He couldn't stand this confinement).
The most direct opposites are '释放' (shìfàng - release), '解放' (jiěfàng - liberate), and '自由' (zìyóu - freedom).
Not necessarily physical pain, but it always implies psychological or existential suffering due to the lack of freedom.
Yes, it has been used for nearly 2,000 years, starting with the political bans in the Han Dynasty.
Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen
Translate to Chinese: 'Traditional ideas confined his mind.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'We must break the confinement of the past.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'He was confined in a small room.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Do not let fear confine your creativity.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'The bird was confined in a cage.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Ideological confinement is an obstacle to progress.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'He felt his soul was confined.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'They are trying to escape the confinement.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Laws should not confine freedom.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'His talent was confined by the environment.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Confinement of thought is dangerous.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'She broke the social confinement.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'The soul longs to break the confinement of the body.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Do not be confined by old rules.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'The economy was confined by backward methods.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'He was confined in the struggle for power.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Break the shackles of confinement.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'A life of confinement is sad.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'Truth will burst through confinement.'
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Translate to Chinese: 'He is his own jailer through self-confinement.'
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Speak about a time you felt '禁锢' (confined) by rules.
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Explain the phrase '思想禁锢' in your own words.
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How can one '打破禁锢' (break confinement) in their career?
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Is '禁锢' ever a good thing? Discuss.
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Compare '禁锢' and '限制'.
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Describe a movie character who was '禁锢'ed.
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How does technology help us break the '禁锢' of distance?
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Talk about the '禁锢' of traditional gender roles.
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What are the dangers of '自我禁锢'?
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If you could break one '禁锢' in the world, what would it be?
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Describe the literal meaning of 禁锢 to a beginner.
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Use 禁锢 in a sentence about a historical event.
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How do books help us break '思想禁锢'?
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Discuss the '禁锢' of living in a small town vs a big city.
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What feelings are associated with the word 禁锢?
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Can love be a form of '禁锢'? Why or why not?
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Explain the character components of 锢.
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Talk about '禁锢' in the context of animal rights.
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How can education help '打破禁锢'?
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Summarize the key takeaway of this word.
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Listen to the pinyin: jìngù. Which tones are used?
Identify the word: '他被____在笼子里。' (jìngù)
Listen to the sentence: '不要被过去禁锢。' What should you not be confined by?
Identify the object: '思想禁锢' refers to confinement of what?
Listen to the verb: '打破禁锢'. What is being done to the confinement?
Listen to the phrase: '被禁锢的灵魂'. What kind of soul is it?
Listen for the synonym: Is it '限制' or '禁锢'?
Listen for the tone: Is 'jìn' high or falling?
Identify the context: Is '人身禁锢' legal or culinary?
Listen to the character '锢'. What other word shares this character?
Listen to: '冲破禁锢'. Does it sound weak or strong?
Identify the radical: Does 锢 have the 'water' or 'metal' radical?
Listen to the sentence: '禁锢创造力'. What is being restricted?
Listen for the antonym: '释放' or '禁锢'?
Identify the CEFR level: Is this word A1 or B2?
/ 200 correct
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Summary
The word '禁锢' (jìngù) is much more than just a synonym for 'limit'; it represents a powerful and often systemic cage for the body or the mind. Use it when you want to emphasize that a restriction is heavy, serious, and difficult to break, such as: '思想的禁锢是进步最大的敌人' (The confinement of thought is the greatest enemy of progress).
- 禁锢 (jìngù) is a high-level verb meaning to confine or imprison, emphasizing a strong, often inescapable lack of freedom or movement.
- It is frequently used metaphorically to describe the restriction of thoughts, creativity, or social progress by traditional or oppressive forces.
- The word carries a formal and serious tone, making it suitable for literature, academic writing, and discussions of social or political issues.
- Commonly paired with '思想' (thought), '灵魂' (soul), and '创造力' (creativity), it often appears in passive constructions using the particle '被'.
Pair with Abstract Nouns
To sound like a native, pair '禁锢' with words like '思想' (thought), '创造力' (creativity), '灵魂' (soul), or '天性' (nature).
Use with '被'
The passive form '被...禁锢' is very common and helps emphasize the feeling of being a victim of circumstances.
Save for Formal Writing
Use this word in your HSK 6 or advanced level essays to demonstrate a sophisticated vocabulary.
Contrast with '限制'
Use '限制' for rules you follow, and '禁锢' for rules that feel like they are crushing your spirit.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr general Wörter
一下儿
A1Es bedeutet 'ein bisschen' oder 'einen Moment' und wird nach Verben verwendet, um höflicher zu klingen.
点儿
A1Ein bisschen oder eine kleine Menge. Wird nach Verben für 'etwas' und nach Adjektiven für einen Komparativ verwendet.
有点儿
A1ein bisschen (meistens negativ)
一下
A2Ein bisschen; einen Moment (wird nach einem Verb verwendet, um den Ton zu mildern).
一点儿
A1Ein bisschen; eine kleine Menge.
一会儿
A1Ein Augenblick, eine Weile.
一部分
B1Ein Teil; ein Anteil; eine Minderheit.
异样
B1Etwas Ungewöhnliches oder Abweichendes vom Normalzustand.
关于
A1Präposition mit der Bedeutung 'über' oder 'bezüglich'. Sie wird verwendet, um ein Thema einzuleiten oder den Inhalt eines Buches oder Gesprächs zu beschreiben.
快要
A2Der Zug wird gleich im Bahnhof ankommen. Es fängt gleich an zu regnen, nimm einen Regenschirm mit.
